Skiing and Snowboarding

Deer Valley Resort. Just to the south of downtown Park City, this resort set new standards in the ski industry by providing such amenities as ski valets and slope-side dining of the highest caliber. For such pampering, the resort has drawn rave reviews from virtually every ski and travel magazine, consistently rated #1 Ski Resort in America by SKI magazine. The careful layout of runs and the impeccable grooming makes this an intermediate skier's heaven. With the Empire Canyon and Lady Morgan areas, the resort also offers bona fide expert terrain. For many, part of the ski experience includes a two- to three-hour midday interlude of feasting at one of the many world-class dining locations on the mountain and catching major rays on the snow-covered meadow in front of Silver Lake Lodge. The ski experience fits right in with the resort's overall image. With lessons for kids from preschool through teens, Deer Valley's acclaimed children's ski school is sure to please both children and parents. Note: this is one of the only ski resorts in the United States that prohibits snowboards. 2250 Deer Valley Dr., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–1000; 800/424–3337; www.deervalley.com. Lift ticket $135.

Park City Mountain Resort. Although this has been one of North America's most popular ski and snowboard destinations for quite some time, in 2015 Vail Resorts joined neighboring Canyons Resort to Park City Mountain, creating the largest ski resort in the United States. With more than 330 trails, 17 mountain peaks, 7,300 skiable acres, and 41 lifts, it is almost impossible to ski the entire resort in one day. The trails provide a great mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, with Jupiter Peak providing the highest elevation and steepest terrain in town. Three distinct base areas provide a great starting point for the ski day—Park City Base Area has a variety of dining and retail options, along with a stellar après-ski scene. Park City is the only resort with lift access to Historic Main Street with Town Lift, allowing for guests staying near or on Main Street direct access to the slopes. Canyons Village, located on the other side of the mountain, gives ski-in/ski-out access to many of the base area's hotels and lodging properties. The resort is widely acclaimed for being a free-skiing and snowboarding mecca with official Olympic qualifying events each year; you're likely to see Olympic athletes training and playing on the slopes. 1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–8111; www.parkcitymountain.com. Lift ticket prices change daily; check online for daily rate.

White Pine Nordic Center. Just outside Old Town, White Pine Nordic Center offers around 20 km (12 miles) of set track, in 3-km (2-mile), 5-km (3-mile), and 10-km (6-mile) loops, plus cross-country ski instruction, equipment rentals, and a well-stocked cross-country ski shop. The fee to use the track is $18, or $10 after 3 pm. Reservations are required for their guided backcountry ski and snowshoe tours in the surrounding mountains. On Park City Golf Course, 1541 Thaynes Canyon Dr., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–6249; www.whitepinetouring.com.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides. If you don't mind paying for it, the best way to find untracked Utah powder is with Wasatch Powderbird Guides. A helicopter drops you on the top of the mountain, and a guide leads you back down. Itineraries are always weather dependent. Call to inquire about departures from Snowbird (Little Cottonwood Canyon) or Park City Mountain Resort (Canyons Village). 3000 Canyons Resort Dr., Park City, Utah. 801/742–2800; www.powderbird.com. From $1260.

Ski Rentals and Equipment

Many shops in Park City rent equipment for skiing and other sports. From old-fashioned rental shops that also offer discount lift tickets to luxurious ski-delivery services that will fit you in your room, you have dozens of choices. Prices tend to be slightly lower if you rent in Salt Lake City. If you happen to be visiting during holidays, reserve skiing and snowboarding gear in advance.

Breeze Winter Sports Rentals. You can reserve your equipment online in advance with this company (often for less than day-of rentals), which has two locations in Park City. You'll find them near Canyons Village and at Park City Base Area. They're owned by Vail Resorts, and you can expect good quality and service at a value price. 4343 N. Hwy. 224, Park City, Utah, 84098. 435/655–7066; 888/427–3393; www.skirentals.com.

Cole Sport. With four locations from Main Street to Deer Valley, Cole Sport carries all of your winter ski, snowboard, and snowshoe rental needs. Come back in summer for bikes, stand-up paddleboards, hiking gear, and more. No matter the season, Cole Sport offers expert fitting and advice with a broad range of equipment. 1615 Park Ave., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–4806; 800/345–2938; www.colesport.com.

Jans Mountain Outfitters. For almost 40 years, this has been the locals' choice for gear rentals, with ski and snowboard equipment packages and clothing in winter, and bikes and fly-fishing gear in summer. With the most knowledgeable staff around, they'll assist you with any outdoor adventure. There are multiple locations, including the flagship Park Avenue store, Deer Valley, and Park City Mountain Resort. 1600 Park Ave., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–4949; www.jans.com.

Park City Sport. At the base of Park City Mountain Resort, this is a convenient place to rent ski and snowboard equipment, goggles, and clothing. You can drop off your personal gear at the end of a ski day, and they'll have it tuned and ready for you the next morning with free overnight storage for customers. A second location on Main Street is across from Town Lift. 1335 Lowell Ave., #104, Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/645–7777; 800/523–3922; www.parkcitysport.com.

Silver Star Ski & Sport. This company rents, tunes, and repairs ski equipment, snowshoes, bike gear, and stand-up paddleboards. It doesn't get much more convenient for winter rentals/gear adjustments, as the shop is located at the base of the Silver Star lift at Park City Mountain Resort. 1825 Three Kings Dr., #85, Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/645–7827; www.silverstarskiandsport.com.

Ski Butlers. The most prominent of a number of companies offering ski and snowboard delivery, Ski Butlers carries top-of-the-line Rossignol equipment. Their experts will fit you in your hotel room or condo and meet you at any of the resorts should something go wrong. You'll pay a little more, but you'll avoid the hassle of rentals when the snow is falling on your first morning in the mountains. Park City, Utah. 877/754–7754; www.skibutlers.com.

Utah Ski & Golf. Downhill equipment, snowshoes, clothing, and golf-club rental are available here, at Park City Base Area and Town Lift, as well as in downtown Salt Lake City. 698 Park Ave., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–3020; www.utahskigolf.com.

Ski Tours

Ski Utah Interconnect Tour. Strong intermediate and advanced skiers can hook up with the Ski Utah Interconnect Tour for a guided alpine ski tour that takes you to as many as six resorts, including Deer Valley and Park City, in a single day, all connected by backcountry ski routes with unparalleled views of the Wasatch Mountains. Guides test your ski ability before departure. The tour includes guide service, lift tickets, lunch, and transportation back to the point of origin. You'll even walk away with a finisher's pin. Reservations are required. Park City, Utah. 801/534–1907; www.skiutah.com. $395.

White Pine Touring. Specializing in telemark, cross-country, and alpine touring gear and guided tours, White Pine Touring also has top of the line clothing, as well as mountain bikes, fat bikes, snowshoes, and climbing shoes. 1790 Bonanza Dr., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–8710; www.whitepinetouring.com.